The Resident Evil Series and Zombie Horror Films

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The Resident Evil Series and Zombie Horror Films

• Comparisons of Style and Content

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Zombie Horror Films
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Zombie Horror Films

• George Romero
• Night Of the Living Dead (1968)
• Dawn of the Dead (1978)
• Land of the Dead (2005)

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Zombie Horror Films

• Night Of the Living Dead (1968)
• Remake in 1990.

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Zombie Horror Films

• Dawn of the Dead (1978)

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Zombie Horror Films

• Land of the Dead (2005)

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Zombie Horror Films

• Dario Argento
• Zombi (1978)
• Almost a direct rip-off of Day of the Dead

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Zombie Horror Films

• Zombie (1978)
• Dario Dropped everything in 1978 to make his own
  version of Dawn of the Dead.

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Zombie Horror Films

• Lucio Fulchi
• Zombie II
• Couldn't name it just Zombi because of
  Argentos earlier Zombi

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Zombie Horror Films

• Zombie II
• Zombie is currently banned in Finland and heavily
  censored in the UK.
• The make-up effects were done by famed Italian,
  Gianetto De Rossi The make-up for the zombies was
  caked on in stages and Fulci  frequently referred
  to the extras as "walking flower pots".

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Zombie Horror Films

• Kiyoshi Kurosawa
• Suito Homu(1989)
• Inspiration for Resident Evil Series.

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Zombie Horror Films

• Suito Homu(1989)

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Zombie Horror Films

• Sam Raimi
• Evil Dead
• Spoof with meat
• Fast moving Zombie
• Smart Zombies

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Zombie Horror Films

• Evil Dead

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History of Resident Evil
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History of Resident Evil

• The Resident Evil series put a label on a kind of
  gameplay called survival-horror.

• There is a clear idea of the twisted and
  convoluted plotline.

• But was Resident Evil the true originator of the
  survival-horror genre?

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• It's widely accepted that the PC game Alone in
  the Dark was a source of inspiration.

• But it's also possible that a NES game called
  Sweet Home marked the beginning of the genre.

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• The Resident Evil story begins in a typical
  Midwestern US town called Raccoon City.

• STARS unit Bravo Team is sent to investigate the
  situation.

• However, when the team lands, it is suddenly
  attacked by a pack of monster dogs.

• Alpha Team are chased to a nearby mansion where
  the real nightmare begins.

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• So the backgrounds were the first to change and
  held on to the urban setting however with aging
  Western-style building.

• Claire Redfield was added and was friends to
  rookie cop Leon Kennedy.

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• The sequel makes substantial improvements on the
  original in the graphics, character models and
  improved animations.

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• With the Story Sometime in 1998... A typical
  Midwestern US town built at the base of a vast
  forest.

• Rumors began to spread, odd occurrences,
  mysterious deaths, unidentifiable creatures
  appeared out of nowhere.

• Word got out about a severe accident at a
  mountain lab. The Raccoon City Police Department
  recruited several new officers.

• As Leon S. Kennedy prepares to join his new unit,
  he continues into Raccoon City to begin his new
  job.

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• On the other side of town, a distraught Claire
  Redfield Claire begins her search in Raccoon City.

• Neither Leon nor Claire is aware of the
  overwhelming world of horror they are about to
  enter...

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• Resident Evil 3 Nemesis. Takes place before and
  after Resident Evil 2.

• Resident Evil 3 was also shorter than its
  predecessors.

• While Resident Evil 3 complicates the plot
  tremendously and the occasional discrepancy, it
  helps the overall story and provides an
  high-strung survival-horror experience.

• The first major tweaks in the Resident Evil
  control scheme.

• Some of the changes include character models,
  180-degree fast turn, dodge feature and improved
  auto-aim.

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• These tweaks help to continue the Story with Main
  Characters Jill in Raccoon City when it all
  began. She struggles to survive along with
  members of the UBCS.

• It's obvious that the Umbrella Corporation is
  behind everything, but what is the true purpose
  behind its research, and how far will it go to
  contain its secret?

• A huge, seemingly unstoppable creature known as
  Nemesis plagues her constant struggle for
  survival.

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• The series also continue with Resident Evil Code
  Veronica. This game produces believable and
  detailed graphics.

• The game also features truly amazing CG movies
  that are seamlessly blended with gameplay to
  create an amazing effect. The story and gameplay
  are also up to Resident Evil standards.

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• These help to continue the Storys Main
  Characters Claire Redfield and Chris Redfield

• Three months after the events in Resident Evil 2.
  After being captured for trespassing and flown to
  a remote island and put into a prison cell. She
  is soon freed, and yet another struggle for
  survival begins.

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• Resident Evil 0 is origin or prequel story that
  would compliment the Gamecube Resident Evil
  remake. They added some new tweaks and a great
  new story to refresh the series.

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• The story starts sometime in 1998...Several
  "unusual" murder cases had occurred in Raccoon
  City, The police review reports of groups of
  "people-eating monsters. They send in the elite
  S.T.A.R.S. team to investigate.

• Bravo team is sent to reports of monster.
  Rebecca, stumbles upon a jeep and a file that
  leads to a prisoner execution.

• The trains passengers have been killed. Rebecca
  meets up with the convict Billy Coen, the two
  decide to team up and take on the hordes of evil
  creatures. This was the true beginning...of the
  nightmare!

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• With the graphical overhauls and slight story
  add-ons and decided to completely retool the
  series with Resident Evil 4.

• The creators of the series broke all the rules on
  Resident Evil 4, with over the shoulder camera
  angle, better A.I., and a new aiming system to
  add a new spin on the series wile still getting
  the Resident Evil feeling.

• Removed all of the mindless zombies and added
  something more sinister.

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• With Umbrella being destroyed. The government
  proceeded to issue a suspension decree, crashing
  its stock prices and driving it out of business.

• It's been six years since. However, shortly
  before Leon was to start his new job, the
  President's daughter Ashley is kidnapped.

• She was last seen in a small, rural village in
  Spain...where the new nightmare begins.

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Visual Themes
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Visual Themes

• Visual Similarities

• Emotional Responses

• Storytelling Techniques

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Comparisons
Living Dead Films Resident
Evil Series

• Night of the Living Dead (1968)
• Dawn of the Dead (1978)
• Day of the Dead (1985)
• Land of the Dead (2005)

• Resident Evil
• Resident Evil 2
• Resident Evil 3
• Resident Evil 4

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Zombies
Definition Reanimated corpses with a killer
instinct to feed on the living.

• Visual Elements
• Skin Deformations
• Rotting Body
• Dismembered Appendages
• Scars/Burns
• Lack of Neurological Reactions

Mmmmm brainsss
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Examples
Living Dead Films Resident
Evil Series
Mmmmm brainsss
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Gore and Shock
Definition Blood, and sudden disturbances

• Visual Elements
• Blood
• Violence
• Internal organs
• Close Up Imagery

However, it is not always necessary to show (use
sparingly)
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Examples
Living Dead Films Resident
Evil Series
However, it is not always necessary to show (use
sparingly)
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Lighting and Atmosphere
Lighting and Atmosphere
Definition The appearance of, or absence of
luminosity and depth of field.

• Visual Elements
• Chiaroscuro
• Total Darkness
• Shrouded Environment
• Fog/Mist

Film Theory anyone?
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Examples
Living Dead Films Resident
Evil Series
Film Theory anyone?
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Camera Perspective
Definition View of the camera (first person,
third person, angle, pitch).

• Visual Elements
• Camera Obstructions
• Incomplete Information
• Restrictive Angles

Film Noir anyone? Bonus points? Please?
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Examples
Living Dead Films Resident
Evil Series
Film Noir anyone? Bonus points? Please?
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Story Themes
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Story Themes

• Corporate greed and consumerism.
• Distrust of Government and the struggle
• of the individual.
• Examples of Feminism.

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Greed

• Dawn of The Dead, Land of the Dead
• Mall zombies, attack on consumerism.
• Class battles, haves and have nots.
• Resident Evil Series
• Umbrella Corporation, unchecked corporate power.

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Distrust of the GovernmentResident Evil

• Umbrella Corporation Military contractor.
• Government troops ineffectual.
• Nuke the city for the greater good.
• Lone S.T.A.R.S team members save the day.

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Distrust of Government Romeros Living Dead

• No local or federal help.
• Individuals fend for themselves against
• undead and other humans.

• Government and Scientists are ineffectual Day
• of the Dead.

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Examples of FeminismHeroesLiving Dead Films

• Dawn of the Dead Fran.

• Day of the Dead Sara.

• Night of the Living Dead(90) Barbara.

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Examples of FeminismHeroesResident Evil

• Jill Valentine.

• Claire Redfield

• Rebecca Chambers

• Ada Wong

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Feminism Villains

• Living Dead Zombies women as vicious
• as zombie men.
• Resident Evil Zombie women and
• Monster women.

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Conclusion

• Resident Evil and Romeros zombie films
• Anti corporate themes.
• Anti government themes.
• Feminist ideas.
• Proof that games and movies have
• themes.
• Theyre good for you!

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Questions?